This paper analyzes one of the key factors for understanding the region of Central Asia: its distinctive relationship to water resources and how states in the region co-operate—or should do so—in order to achieve better management of this valuable resource. Section I introduces the general legal context and, after the presentation of factual data, examines the management of water resources in the region from the viewpoint of the obligation of co-operation established under general international law, including the realization of the right of access to water and sanitation by all citizens. Subsequently, we analyze how and to what extent current international co-operation tools might contribute to solving existing challenges. To this end, we explore both co-operation in the generation and distribution of hydroelectric power in the region, and regional co-operation in the management, conservation, and sustainable development of the inland fisheries of Central Asia.

Entre la urgència a Fiji i la complexitat a Bonn: El lent camí per la posada en marxa de l'acord de París

This paper draws from the situation of imbalance in the use of water resources among the Central Asian States, in a context marked by a deep dichotomy between two competing uses of water-irrigation and the production of hydroelectric energy. From the perspective of water resources management, the hydrographic and geopolitical complexity of the region is unquestionable and has been found in the cause of several interstate conflicts, which are frequently aggravated by important environmental challenges. From there, this paper discusses the adequacy of the international regulatory framework to guarantee the sustainable governance of water resources in the region. The impact of multilateral conventions in the region is analysed, as well as the development of a series of bilateral agreements that have actually maintained the status quo. This situation has worsened due to the low consistency and effectiveness of the regional institutions created by these same agreements. From a regional perspective, the situation in the countries of Central Asia offers an exceptional case for analysis. It is an area with significant security risks due to the widespread lack of governance over the use of water resources, which are unevenly distributed between the Central Asian States, and have undergone alarming environmental degradation in recent years. Although this situation could represent a major opportunity for the development of interstate cooperation, the upshot will depend to a large extent on the capacity of political institutions in the region to manage these resources in a way that is both environmentally and politically sustainable.

Aquest treball pretén exposar els èxits i els dèficits de la cooperació internacional a l'Oceà Àrtic en relació a l'establiment de les àrees marines protegides. El primer apartat presenta breument les característiques dels ecosistemes de l'Oceà Àrtic, que els fan particularment vulnerables y que  actualment es troben sota una tensió molt important a causa dels efectes del fenomen del canvi climàtic. El segon apartat d'aquest treball aborda l'anàlisi del marc jurídic internacional global aplicable als espais marins protegits a l'Oceà Àrtic, que per ara és el que ofereix el Conveni de Nacions Unides sobre el Dret del Mar. Seguidament, el tercer apartat es centra en l'estudi de l'abast dels instruments jurídic internacionals de caràcter sectorial que promouen la designació d’àrees marines protegides així com la seva adequació a les característiques d'aquest espai polar. El seu estudi es planteja des de la triple perspectiva de la protecció internacional del medi ambient, la regulació de les pesqueries i la navegació marítima. El quart apartat, des d’un enfoc regional, es dedica a l'examen del treball realitzat en el marc del Consell Àrtic, principalment a través del Grup de Treball per a la Conservació de la Flora i la Fauna de l'Àrtic i el Grup de Treball per a la Protecció del Medi Marí de l'Àrtic. Finalment, el treball conclou amb unes de consideracions finals.

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